Motor vehicle door lock status system and related method

Abstract

A motor vehicle door lock status system is provided. That system includes a door lock actuator, a door lock status indicator for indicating lock status of the multiple motor vehicle doors, and a controller. The controller is connected to the door lock actuator and the door lock status indicator. Further, the controller is configured to provide a door open signal, an all doors closed and locked signal and a failure to lock signal. A related method of indicating door lock status of a motor vehicle is also disclosed.

What is claimed: 
     
       1. A motor vehicle door lock status system, comprising:
 a door lock actuator; 
 a door lock status indicator indicating lock status of multiple motor vehicle doors; and 
 a controller (a) connected to said door lock actuator and said door lock status indicator and (b) configured to provide a door open signal, an all doors closed and locked signal and a failure to lock signal. 
 
     
     
       2. The motor vehicle door lock status system of  claim 1 , wherein said door lock status indicator is a bi-color light emitting diode. 
     
     
       3. The motor vehicle door lock status system of  claim 1 , wherein said door lock status indicator is a first light emitting diode of a first color and a second light emitting diode of a second color. 
     
     
       4. The motor vehicle door lock status system of  claim 1 , wherein said door lock status indicator is a plurality of icons that are illuminated to indicate the lock status of said multiple motor vehicle doors. 
     
     
       5. The motor vehicle door lock status system of  claim 1 , wherein said door lock status indicator is carried on a driver's door of a motor vehicle. 
     
     
       6. The motor vehicle door lock status system of  claim 5 , wherein said door lock status indicator is carried on said driver's door adjacent to a belt line of said motor vehicle. 
     
     
       7. The motor vehicle door lock status system of  claim 1 , further including a first door lock regulator for a first motor vehicle door and a second door lock regulator for a second motor vehicle door. 
     
     
       8. The motor vehicle door lock status system of  claim 7 , wherein said controller is configured to include a first data input connected to said first door lock regulator and a second data input connected to said second door lock regulator. 
     
     
       9. The motor vehicle door lock status system of  claim 8 , further including a third door lock regulator connected to a third motor vehicle door and a fourth door lock regulator connected to a fourth motor vehicle door. 
     
     
       10. The motor vehicle door lock status system of  claim 9 , wherein said controller is configured to include a third data input connected to said third door lock regulator and a fourth data input connected to said fourth door lock regulator. 
     
     
       11. A method of indicating door lock status of a motor vehicle, comprising:
 monitoring, by controller, the door lock status of multiple doors of said motor vehicle; and 
 indicating, by indicator, the door lock status of said multiple doors of said motor vehicle wherein said indication is selected from a group of a signals consisting of (a) a door open signal, (b) an all doors closed and locked signal and (c) a failure of all doors to lock signal. 
 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 11 , including providing said door open signal by illuminating a light source of a first color. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 12 , including providing said all doors closed and locked signal by illuminating a light source of a second color. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 13 , including providing said failure of all doors to lock signal by flashing a light source and then extinguishing said light source. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 14 , including indicating the door lock status of said multiple doors of said motor vehicle by means of at least one light source provided on a driver's door of said motor vehicle.